"Is this the research institute?"
The research institute's gates stood open. It was unclear whether they had been open all along or Liu Yuanyuan had opened them.
The lobby was spotless.
Not a speck of dust.
The lights were also bright, illuminating every corner.
There wasn't a single blind spot.
Yet there wasn't a person in sight.
"Shouldn't there be plenty of staff here? Why is it completely empty?" Jiang Qiao frowned.
That didn't seem right.
Was the research institute really this careless?
Following the lobby into the corridor beside it, he saw several footprints along the way. They looked as if someone had just stepped out of thick mud and then onto the floor.
He was quite familiar with those footprints.
Liu Yuanyuan's.
And one of her trump cards.
A terrifying one.
"It doesn't look like she encountered an enemy. It looks more like she's using supernatural means to detect something." Jiang Qiao swept his gaze around.
This building was unusual.
Even a Ninth Rank's perception would be blocked here.
"Dual Pupils" could still be used, but they were heavily restricted as well. Unless he activated them to their full extent, it would be difficult to see through the barriers between floors.
However, rooms on the same floor couldn't block his vision.
"Security Room."
Jiang Qiao glanced at the nearest room beside him, placed his hand against the door, and gently pushed.
"Bzzzt—!"
Electricity crackled.
The surrounding lights immediately began flickering as though the voltage were unstable. The corridor alternated between light and darkness, looking as if the power might cut out at any moment.
This wasn't because Jiang Qiao had used the power of thunder.
Rather, the security room was shrouded in supernatural power. Ordinary people without the proper access authority couldn't enter.
Jiang Qiao intended to force